After the intense love making, wrestling, playing, kissing, and teasing was over, Buffy and Lenara got out of the pool.
"You realize my clothes are all wet Buffy."
"Next time you'll take them off before getting into the water." Buffy teased.
"Because I had a vote right?"
Lenara grabbed Buffy's hand and kissed it. "Grab your clothes and we will go back to my room. I can get dry clothes there and we won't have to worry about someone walking in on us getting dressed."
"You didn't seem to be worrying about someone walking in on us having sex in the pool."
"Honestly, as loud as you are, they would know to turn around and walk away." Lenara chuckled as Buffy stood naked with a mortified look on her face. Lenara laughed harder, "You are so cute when you are flummoxed." Buffy pretended to pout. "Aww…so cute that bottom lip." Lenara teased she nipped at Buffy's lips. "Grab your clothes and let's go."
Buffy scooped up everything quickly while Lenara did the same. Instinctly once they were finished they immediately grabbed the other's hands. Instantly they were in Lenara's bedroom. Lenara swatted Buffy's ass before walking over to her closet. Giggling she smiled over her shoulder, "That was payback for earlier."
Buffy laughed. "That was pretty funny."
Each girl began to get dressed. Buffy watched as Lenara put on her clothes.
"Lenara?"
"Hmm?"
"What now?"
Lenara slid a sweater over her head. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, I…what am I to you?"
Lenara walked over to Buffy and grabbed her hands. "I'm hoping that you are my girlfriend. Is that okay?" Lenara looked concerned.
Buffy smiled, "I like the sound of that."
Lenara released the breath she was holding. "What's on your mind?"
"You. Us. What just happened. I'm sorry, I just need to blurt something out."
"Okay."
"I don't want to see anyone else."
"Good."
"I don't want you too either."
"Shouldn't be a problem."
"I'm serious Lenara. I think I am freaking out a little."
"Why Buffy?"
"Because in a short time I have become crazy about you. We had amazing sex and now I am getting scared because I am getting too attached to you too quickly. And I don't exactly have a great track record with relationships, and…"
Lenara cut the sentiment off with a kiss.
"I can't think when you do that," Buffy mumbled.
"Good. Me either. Stop worrying. I'm here and I'm not going anywhere. I'm crazy about you, and you'd have a hell of a time getting rid of me."
Buffy smiled. "Think it will be obvious what we've done when we see our friends again?"
"Probably. I know I can't stop grinning."
"Will you stay with me tonight?"
"I would love to."
"Will you get naked again?"
Lenara looked into Buffy's eyes and smiled. "I'm sure you'll leave me no choice."
Buffy swatted Lenara's butt for the second time that night. "As long as you know who's in charge."
Both girls giggled as they exited the room.
When the girls returned home, Willow was exhausted. "Nessa knows so much. It's hard to take it all in."
Kennedy smiled. "That's great Will. And you should have seen Buffy and I. We beat Zaz and Mahzi. We were disappearing!"
Lenaran laughed. "I can't believe you guys pulled that off! How did you know you would be able to?"
Buffy shrugged. "Just figured if the speed was there, maybe the disappearing thing would be too."
Lenara nodded, "The infusion of our magic blended with your skills has had great result. Have you guys tried forming energy balls yet?"
Kennedy's eyes got huge. "No! But I am gonna try!" Kennedy squeezed her eyes shut, hunched her shoulders in, and shot her hands out in front of her. She popped open one eye. "Anything?" The other girls laughed in unison.
"That's a big no." Buffy replied.
"Stop thinking about it. Just let it happen." Lenara offered.
Kennedy relaxed her shoulders and felt her body loosen up. "How 'bout now?"
Willow put her hand on Kennedy's arm, "Sweetie, let's…"
"HOLY SHIT!" Buffy pointed at Kennedy's hands. It was very small, but it was there. An energy ball. Willow moved her hand away and the ball disappeared.
"Wait! Willow touch my arm again!" Kennedy squealed. Willow complied and the ball reappeared.
"Huh. That's a new one." Lenara mumbled. "Nessa give you some of our magic Willow?" The redhead simply nodded. Lenara replied, "They must somehow work in tandem. Although I think given time that Kennedy could probably just do it on her own. We've already seen your abilities accelerated on my home world. Seems like the magic Willow has functions similarly."
"If that's the case though, you and I should be able to do the same." Buffy looked at Lenara.
Her girlfriend grinned. "Want to try?"
"Oh yeah!"
Buffy closed her eyes and exhaled effectively relaxing her body. Her hands were close together and her fingers appeared to be massaging the air. Lenara stepped over to her and touched the Slayer's forearm. And just as it was with Kennedy and Willow, Buffy had a small energy ball flowing steadily in between her hands.
"Buffy, you guys are doing it!" Willow exclaimed.
Buffy opened her eyes and looked down. "Sure enough Willow," she muttered.
"Buffy," Lenara whispered into the Slayer's ear, "push it forward a little and concentrate on bringing it back to you."
Buffy nodded, and stretched her fingers out a little. The ball traveled a few inches. "Good Buffy, now see if you can draw it back now."
Buffy nodded and seemed to be in deep concentration, but the ball only maintained its position. After a few moments Buffy got frustrated and dropped her hands. Lenara released the contact between the two and the ball dissipated.
"Give it time you. You guys are doing amazing things so quickly. This will come too."
Kennedy laughed. "We are some fierce opponents to have."
Buffy nodded. "True, but don't get cocky. Our enemies have been doing this a lot longer."
"I know, but in such a short time I think we've evened the odds some. And with Willow working with Nessa I am not as sick with fear. If you and I continue to learn new abilities, matched with Lenara and her family, well, we have to like our chances Buffy."
Buffy looked at Lenara who was smiling and absent mindedly playing with her necklace.
"Whatcha thinking about?" Buffy asked.
"That Kennedy is right. You three change everything. And it makes me a little giddy. I am ready to figure out my life, and who I was."
Buffy nodded but her face dropped a little. "That's scary. I wonder who you are."
"She's Lenara. That's at least true." Willow interjected.
"What is it?" Lenara asked Buffy.
"I can't help but wonder who is out there grieving you. Some husband, or wife, or whoever. Someone you meant everything to. I…can't compete with that."
Lenara grabbed Buffy's hands. "Hey, it's okay. For all you know there is no one. If there was, wouldn't I feel them somehow?"
"I don't know."
"I get what Buffy is saying," Kennedy mumbled. "It's hard enough competing with ghosts of someone's past, much less dealing with the reality of them being alive, or real, or just there." Kennedy looked at Willow tentatively.
"Kennedy, sweetheart," Willow moved to hug her girlfriend, "It isn't a competition. It never was."
Kennedy began crying. "It feels like it is sometimes. I know…I know I'm not Tara. I know she was perfect."
"Don't Kennedy," Willow pressed lightly, "I love you. I know you aren't Tara. I don't want you to be. I love you. My complex, hot headed, stubborn sweet, soft Slayer."
"But," Kennedy started.
"Ssshhh…" Willow whispered, "stop talking. Stop thinking. Just be you. That's what I want."
Buffy watched the exchange. It was true that Willow loved Kennedy. But what if Tara did come back? Buffy knew Kennedy would eventually become part of Willow's past. That was Buffy's fear. Some previous love of Lenara's would overshadow her, and Buffy would become a faded memory to the woman that she loved. Lenara could sense Buffy's fear.
"Buffy, to replace you is unthinkable. Whoever I was I may have had a great love. But I am Lenara now, and I have that too. Besides, we know nothing, and you may be worrying about someone who doesn't exist."
Buffy sighed, "I know." She looked at Kennedy and Willow. "This shit is so heavy with chicks. All these emotions. Is it always like this?"
"Pretty much." Willow replied.
Buffy looked at Lenara. "We will never watch Lifetime movies together."
Kennedy, Willow, and Buffy laughed while Lenara stood confused, pretty sure she had missed something.
A/N: Well? Bueller? Bueller?